which light fixture to get?

re-fin-away · 03/15/2011, 09:48 AM

So I currently have a 6x80 watt Tek fixture with modded cooling fans on my 180. I have good growth with my SPS but want to get more without going overboard. I am thinking about upgrading to an ATI sunpower in the next few weeks and want to get your opinion on which one to get and why.Benifits of one over the other and or your experience with each fixture.
8x80 sunpower or
6x80 sunpower.
I have a 72x24x24 footprint and am currently doing strictly SPS. I have only been doing SPS for about 5 months so my knowledge is lacking on lighting for them. Also throw out other lighting options for me if you care to. Thanks in advance.

KMP · 03/15/2011, 09:53 AM

Don't have the experience to offer which will answer your question; however, have a testimonial. My buddy has a Tek 8x54w over his 150g [60"x24"x24"] and his tank is spectacular. I watched it grow from frags to full blown colonies that he continually has to cut back. So, should you be wondering if that is enough light for SPS - absolutely!

Based on that; either the Tek 8x80w or ATI 8x80w would be the way to go - 8 [I believe] is the key.

rtparty · 03/15/2011, 10:01 AM

8x80 Sunpower is the fixture I would choose.

You need the 8 bulbs for coverage front to back on a 24" tank IMO. Plus with 8 bulbs you can change the color combo a lot more to your liking.

Be ready to acclimate your corals. The Sunpowers put out roughly 20-25% more PAR than a Tek.

Yes the Tek can handle your tank but, with you going full blown SPS, I would want as much PAR as I could get into the tank.

re-fin-away · 03/15/2011, 10:26 AM

2 extra bulbs would be able to give me alot more coverage that is for sure. Is there a chart for optimal par levels for an SPS tank. Just wondering?

solitude127 · 03/15/2011, 11:20 AM

What type of aquascaping do you have? If it's an open style, you could probably get away with a 6 bulb fixture, but if stacked from front to back, then you'll need an 8.
Here's a thread on T5s and PAR
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1641235
In my tank, I have SPS growing from PAR levels from 200 - 550.

chimmike · 03/15/2011, 11:35 AM

definitely do the 8x80 sunpower and do ATI bulbs. I have a mix of ATI and a few Giesmann bulbs, the ATI's are much brighter for whatever reason.

03/15/2011, 09:48 AM	#1
re-fin-away Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 67	which light fixture to get? So I currently have a 6x80 watt Tek fixture with modded cooling fans on my 180. I have good growth with my SPS but want to get more without going overboard. I am thinking about upgrading to an ATI sunpower in the next few weeks and want to get your opinion on which one to get and why.Benifits of one over the other and or your experience with each fixture. 8x80 sunpower or 6x80 sunpower. I have a 72x24x24 footprint and am currently doing strictly SPS. I have only been doing SPS for about 5 months so my knowledge is lacking on lighting for them. Also throw out other lighting options for me if you care to. Thanks in advance.

03/15/2011, 09:53 AM	#2
KMP Wag More; Bark Less Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NorCal Posts: 3,602	Don't have the experience to offer which will answer your question; however, have a testimonial. My buddy has a Tek 8x54w over his 150g [60"x24"x24"] and his tank is spectacular. I watched it grow from frags to full blown colonies that he continually has to cut back. So, should you be wondering if that is enough light for SPS - absolutely! Based on that; either the Tek 8x80w or ATI 8x80w would be the way to go - 8 [I believe] is the key. __________________ Kenny Current Tank Info: 70g Shallow Reef [Home]; 15g Starfire Cube [Office]

03/15/2011, 10:01 AM	#3
rtparty Raise The Reef! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 7,404	8x80 Sunpower is the fixture I would choose. You need the 8 bulbs for coverage front to back on a 24" tank IMO. Plus with 8 bulbs you can change the color combo a lot more to your liking. Be ready to acclimate your corals. The Sunpowers put out roughly 20-25% more PAR than a Tek. Yes the Tek can handle your tank but, with you going full blown SPS, I would want as much PAR as I could get into the tank. __________________ Ryan Click on my user name and check out my homepage! Current Tank Info: 50g Cadlights/Giesemann Spectra (250w Radium, 2 ATI Blue Plus, 2 ATI Actinic)/2 x Vortech MP10wQD/Skimz SN123/Eheim Compact 3000+

03/15/2011, 11:20 AM	#5
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	What type of aquascaping do you have? If it's an open style, you could probably get away with a 6 bulb fixture, but if stacked from front to back, then you'll need an 8. Here's a thread on T5s and PAR http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1641235 In my tank, I have SPS growing from PAR levels from 200 - 550. __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

03/15/2011, 11:35 AM	#6
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	definitely do the 8x80 sunpower and do ATI bulbs. I have a mix of ATI and a few Giesmann bulbs, the ATI's are much brighter for whatever reason. __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

03/15/2011, 10:26 AM	#4
re-fin-away Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 67	2 extra bulbs would be able to give me alot more coverage that is for sure. Is there a chart for optimal par levels for an SPS tank. Just wondering?

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